Lahore/Quetta/Karachi/Peshawar (Staff Report/Agencies): The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Pakistan on Sunday rose to 29,465.
At least 11,093 cases reported in Punjab, 10,771 in Sindh, 4,509 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 1,935 in Balochistan, 430 in Gilgit Baltistan, 641 in Islamabad, and 86 in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
According to the National Command and Control Centre, the death toll related to COVID-19 has reached 639, while at least 8,023 patients have fully recovered.
The number of coronavirus cases has continued to soar despite the country being under a lockdown from the last month.
On May 7, Prime Minister Imran Khan said that the lockdown will be lifted in phases starting from Saturday.
The Prime Minister appealed the people to observe self-discipline and Standard Operating Procedure (SOPs) to prevent spread of Coronavirus pandemic.
Giving detail of the decision taken at the NCC, Planning Minister Asad Umar said small markets and shops in mohallas and rural areas will be allowed to open from Fajar to 5pm He said the entire business, except outlets of essential items like food and medicines will remain closed in two days of the week.
Minister for Industries and Production Hammad Azhar said it has been unanimously decided to open allied industries of the construction sector, which include paint and pipe mills, tiles, electrical and industry and hardware stores across Pakistan.
As per the Punjab government’s notification shared on its Twitter account, the following businesses will be allowed to open for four days a week from 8am to 5pm whereas general and medical stores will remain open throughout the week:
Businesses related to the construction sector subject to their adoption of SOPs
All retail shops except large shopping malls
All hair salons, barbershops and gyms
Public transport, educational institutions and restaurants (except take away and home delivery) will continue to remain closed.
Global coronavirus cases surpassed 4 million and death toll tops 280,000.
